Satellite Imagery Shows Sudan Maintains Infantry in Border Zone

July 17, 2013

WASHINGTON -- New satellite imagery reveals that, in violation of a September 2012 agreement to withdraw all armed forces from a demilitarized border zone between the Sudans, the Government of Sudan maintains infantry troops apparently armed with tanks and artillery in the contested zone. DigitalGlobe imagery taken in July 2013 shows activity consistent with military presence in the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone, or SBDZ, in the Sudanese towns of Keri Kera and al Miqenis.

Mark Quarterman, Enough Project Director of Research, states:

"The continued violations by Sudan of its agreement with South Sudan jeopardize the peace process between the two countries. The presence of Sudanese troops in the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone raises the chance that this border flashpoint could be the spark for renewed armed conflict."

A June 2013 Satellite Sentinel Project report documented previous violations near the South Kordofan villages of Keri Kera and al Miqenis, Sudan. New imagery from July 6 shows that two of the three earthen-bermed installations in al Miqenis remain active. An example of that military presence can be seen in Figure 2 that reveals one of those installations is apparently manned with three tanks, two artillery batteries (four howitzers), eight technicals -- trucks mounted with machine guns -- and two cargo trucks. More than 120 tents and other structures provide support and shelter to the reinforced infantry company (consisting of 150 - 200 personnel) believed to be billeted there. July 9 imagery of Keri Kera in White Nile state, Sudan, shows that an apparent Sudan Armed Forces military installation in that location remains occupied with a reinforced infantry company apparently equipped with three tanks, three howitzers, at least three technicals, and more than 100 tents.

The Satellite Sentinel Project, or SSP, a partnership between the Enough Project and DigitalGlobe, conducts monitoring of the border between Sudan and South Sudan to assess the human security situation, identify potential threats to civilians, and detect, deter and document war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Enough Project provides field research, policy context, and communications strategy. DigitalGlobe provides imagery from its constellation of satellites and geospatial analysis from the DigitalGlobe Analysis Center. SSP is funded primarily by Not On Our Watch.

Who We Are and What We Do

The Satellite Sentinel Project, or SSP, a partnership between the Enough Project and DigitalGlobe, conducts monitoring of both Sudan and South Sudan to assess the human security situation, identify potential threats to civilians, and detect, deter and document war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Enough Project provides field research, policy context, and communications strategy. DigitalGlobe provides imagery from its constellation of satellites and geospatial analysis from the DigitalGlobe Analysis Center. SSP is funded primarily by Not On Our Watch.